Folding reading-desk



(No Model.)

D. D. BOWMAN.

FOLDING READING DESK.

Nq. 317,288. Patented May 5, 1885.

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DAVID D. BOW'MAN, OF EUREKA, CALIFORNIA.

FOLDING READING-DESK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 317,288, dated May 5, 1885.

Application filed May 17, 1884. (No model.)

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Be it knownthat I, DAVID D. BOWMAN, of Eureka, in the county of Humboldt and State of California, have invented a new and Improved Folding Reading-Desk, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

My invention consists of a simple contrivance of anumber of hinged leaves and jointed braces on the upper side and edges of a fixed central top of a pedestal, so that a number of books may be arranged for greater conven` ence when reference to diii'erent authorities and subjects is frequently required, the pedestal being contrived to allow the desk to revolve freely, the leaves arranged to fold into the form of a simple plain table-top, and the top pedestal and legs being detachably connected for enabling the desk to be readily taken apart, all as hereinafter fully described.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

Figure l is a perspective view of my improved reading and reference desk adjusted for use. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation, and Fig. 3 is a perspective view, of thc top and upper portion of the pedestal, the top being folded together. Fig. 4.- is the same View as Fig. 3, but showing the upper leaves provided with buttons instead of cleats. Fig. 5 is a det-ail perspective viewshowing one of the buttons turned up in its recess in the top leaf; and Fig. 6 isa portionof one of the topV leaves, showing one of the buttons turned down.

I make a pedestal in two parts, consisting of the base c and column b, and mount the base a on detachable legs c, which may be connected in any approved way 5 but I prefer to employ T- headed studs d on the legs and slotted plates e on the base, with .recesses in the sides of said base behind the plates, as shown. IA also connect the center f of the top to the column, and connect the column to the base by a rod, g, extending down through the topf and column Z) to the lower end of the latter, where said rod screws through a nut, h, fitted in a recess in the end of the column to hold the top f on the upper end of the column, and from nut h the rod extends down through the pedestal a and a bindingnut, t', thus connecting the whole together substantially, and so that the column b may turn freely at joint w on the top of base a for revolving the top of the desk.

On the upper side of topf, at two opposite edges, k, I hinge the leaves j suitably to be raised up to suitable inclinations for holding books, and having braces Z to support them, said braces being hinged to said leaves at m to swing out and rest on the top j. The leaves are grooved at u to form recesses, into which the braces may fold when the leaves fold down on topf. At the sides of the top f I hinge the other leaves, o, to fold up under the lower side of said top, and at the ends of top f I hinge two more leaves, p, which I connect to said top by cleats q, projecting downward sufficiently to allow leaves p to fold under leaves o. These leaves, folding under the top f, are notched at s for closing around the column b, and they are all supported by a brace, t, to each, and pivoted to the column at u to swing out to about a horizontal position, or a little higher, and receive the leaves on them, which leaves will be notched a little to form sockets, in which the ends of the braces will lodge, so as to have secure foothold. The column b has grooves c from the brace-pivots u downward, in which the braces fold con1- pactly when the leaves are folded.

Any approved means of fastening the lower leaves up in the folded condition may be employed.

On the upper leaves, j, where the cleats commonly employed at the lower edge to prevent the books from slipping off would interfere with the use of the desk for a center-table, buttons j may be substituted, that may be turned up out of recesses j in the table to form suitable projections for the purpose. In this example I have represented a desk of rectangular form of the'top with two top leaves and four lower side leaves; but it is obvious that four leaves may be arranged on the top, and the form of the top may, if desired, be hexagonal or octagonal, with corresponding increase of the number of leaves.

Ihe convenience of this desk for study and reference is obvious, and,by reference to Figs.

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3 and i,it will be seen that when not required for a reading-desk it niay be readily converted into a stand or center-table.

Having thus described my invention,V I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patentl. In a reading-desk, the top, in combination with the rotatable column having vertical slots or recesses, the leaves hinged to the lower outer edges of saidV top and having recessed outer edges to receive said column, and the propping-le'vers pivoted to said column and folding in said recesses or slots in the column, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In a reading-desk7 the top7 in combination with the rotatable column having,1 vertical slots or recesses, the leaves hinged to the lower outer edges of said top and tting flush against the under side of said top in their folded position, and the propping-levers pivotally connected to said column and fitting in said recesses in their folded position, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

DAV] D D. BOVMAN.

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